What is a Sentence?
A sentence is a group of words that has a meaning and it must have a subject and a verb
(predicate). An object receives the action performed by the subject and usually follows the verb. An
object has to be a noun and has never been in a prepositional phrase.
Example 1
Farmers grow rice in the field.
S
V O
The action of this sentence is the verb grow. The noun Farmers is doing the action of grow, so
Farmers is the subject of the verb grow. It is noted that the subject of this sentence is plural, so the
action verb has to be plural as well.
Example 2
Farm management is useful.
S
V
Some verbs do not express action. These verbs are called linking verb because they connect the
subject of the verb to the complement to complete the sentence when an action verb is not used.
There are many verbs that function as the linking verb such as be, seem, feel, become, appear, get,
keep, make, etc.
Example 3
In this garden, every tree is over 80 feet tall.
S
V
If the subject is the pronoun like each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone,
and somebody, the subject is considered singular which requires singular verb.
Example 4
Some of tea tree oil contains ingredients that combat both bacteria and fungus.
S
V
O
Example 5 Some of the food products are not safe for humans.
S
V
When the subject consists of the words that show portions such as all, some, none, do consider the
noun in the of- phrase which functions an object of the preposition to determine the form of a verb.
If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is
plural, use a plural verb. In Sentence 4, the word tea tree oil which is the object of the preposition
is singular. The action verb of the subject has to be singular. Likewise, the object of the preposition
the food products in Sentence 5 is plural. The verb of the subject has to be plural as well.
Types of Sentence
There are a variety of sentence types that follow the basic sentence structure rules. However, they
can be mainly categorized in THREE types: a) simple sentence, b) compound sentence, and c)
complex sentence.
Simple Sentence
This type of sentence consists of ONE independent clause. Normally, a simple sentence has a single
subject and predicate. It indicates a complete idea. However, a simple sentence can contain many
subjects or verbs. For example,
Example 1
Soil has solid particles and pore space.
S V
This simple sentence contains one subject (the soil) and one predicate that has one verb (has).
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Example 2
Birds are major predators in aquaculture farms.
S V
This simple sentence consists of one subject (birds) and one predicate that has one verb (are).
Example 3
Vitamin A and carotene are present in high concentration in milk fat.
S
V
This simple sentence contains two subjects (vitamin A and carotene), and one predicate that has one
verb (are).
Example 4
Large flocks of kingfishers drive fish into shallow area of pond and eat them.
S
V
V
This sentence contains one subject (Large flocks of kingfishers) and a predicate that has two verbs
(drive, eat).
Compound Sentence
This type of sentence consists of two independent clauses that are equally emphasized. The clauses
are linked with conjunctions or conjunctive adverbs.
A.
Coordinating conjunction
Some of the connectors that are often found are and, but, or, and so.
a.
The conjunction and is used to express the same idea.
Example 1
b.
The conjunction but is used to express the contrast idea.
Example 2
c.
Animals have to adapt to changes in their environment, or they will die.
The conjunction so is used to express a result or an outcome.
Example 4
B.
Some plants are damaged by the certain pests, but others are not.
The conjunction or is used to express a choice.
Example 3
d.
Water and mineral are absorbed in the tips of young roots, and they are transported
through xylem.
Some kinds of chemicals are harmful to humans, so they must be used very
carefully.
Conjunctive adverb
Some of them are as follows:
a.
The words accordingly, therefore, and consequently show cause - effect relationship.
Example 1
Asexual reproduction in plants involves the growth of parts detached to form new
plants; consequently, it does not introduce variation.
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Example 2
b.
The words however, nevertheless, and on the other hand express contrast of ideas.
Example 3
c.
Photosynthesis produces energy during daylight hours; however, plant growth is
greater under low temperature at night.
The words moreover, furthermore, besides, and in addition indicate addition.
Example 4
d.
Legume plants decay leaves large amounts of nitrogen; therefore, corn should
follow alfalfa or cloves in a field.
Weeds destroy crop plants; furthermore, they harm public health, livestock, and the
land.
The words similarly, in the same way, and likewise express likeness.
Example 5
Birds eat insects and worms; similarly, chickens eat worm and insects.
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence consists of an independent clause (a main clause) and at least one dependent
clause (a subordinate clause). The complex sentence is different from the compound sentence in
that it contains a clause that is not independent. That is, it cannot stand alone by itself.
The conjunctive coordinators often found in a complex sentence are as, as if, before, after, because,
though, though, even though, while, when, whenever, if, during, as soon as, as long as, since, until,
unless, where, and wherever. The relative pronouns like that, who, and which are also the
conjunctive coordinators.
a.
The conjunctions because and since express a direct reason for an action or a situation.
Example 1
b.
Garden weeds are difficult to control because they grow rapidly.
The conjunctions before, after, as, when, and as soon as are used to describe sequence of
events.
Example 2
Seed germination begins when seeds absorb water.
Example 3
As soon as herbicides are mixed into the soil, they are effective.
Example 4
When I finally found my brother, I kissed him.
c.
The conjunctions although, even though and while express opposition.
Example 5
d.
Mites are important organisms to humans and other animals even though they are
very small.
The conjunctions if and unless indicate conditions.
Example 6
Plants can be damaged if too much fertilizer is used.
Example 7
Plants will grow well unless too much fertilizer is used.
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Note Sometimes the two sets of independent clauses can be joined with a punctuation such as a
comma or a semicolon to make a complete sentence. Otherwise, the sentence will become run-on.
Sentence Pattern
Basic English sentences contain main elements including noun, verb, adjective, and adverb. To
study a variety of sentence patterns, many terms should be introduced to understand the functions of
elements in the sentence. Below are the terms often used in the sentence patterns.
NP
noun phrase
V
verb
Be
copular verb
LV
linking verb
Aux
auxiliary
Adj
adjective
Adv
adverb (time, place, manners)
There are many ways to construct a sentence. Below are examples of basic patterns of sentence that
are often used when you write.
1.
Example
NP + V
Some plants grow well in desert.
NP
V
2.
Example
NP + Be + Adj
Pesticides and herbicides are poisonous to humans and the environment.
NP
Be Adj
3.
Example
NP + V + Adv
The use of antibiotics in aquaculture has grown significantly.
NP
V
Adv
4.
Example
NP + Be + NP
Dioxins are an environmental contaminant.
NP Be
NP
5.
Example
NP + LV + Adj
Nowadays, the use of waste water becomes more popular in fish farming.
NP
LV
Adj
NP + V + NP
Plant pathogens affect the growth of their host in a variety of ways.
NP
V
NP
6.
Example
7.
Example
NP + V + NP + Adj
WHO declared DDT hazardous to plants and animals.
NP
V
NP
Adj
8.
Example
NP + Aux + NP
Household insecticides can harm humans if not used appropriately.
NP
Aux V
NP
9.
Example
NP + V + NP + NP
Banks gave Thai farmers low-interest loans.
NP
V
NP
NP
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10.
Example
Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + Clause
Tulip bulb is solid,
so
it does not require special care in handling.
Main Clause Coor. Conj.
Main Clause
11.
Clause + Conjunctive Adv + Clause
Alfalfa is the best food for beef cattle; however,
Clause
Conj. Adv.
Example
12.
it is expensive.
Clause
Clause + Conjunctive Coordinator + Clause
Example
Tape worms absorb nutrients from their hosts
since
they have no digestive system.
Clause
Coor. Conj
Clause
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
The batter hit the ball.
The bird sang.
What is the difference between the two verbs in the above sentences?
Notice that the first sentence has two words following the verb hit. The second sentence doesn’t
have words after the verb sang. These two facts lead us to a discussion on transitive and intransitive
verbs.

What are transitive verbs?
Transitive verbs are action verbs that have an object to receive that action. In the first sentence
above, the direct object ball received the action of the verb hit.
Examples of transitive verbs: break, bring, hit, influence, invent, kick, follow, sell, understand,
write,
Here are some more examples of transitive verbs:
I baked some cookies.
The audience attentively watched the latest production
I moved the chair.
You kicked the dog.
All of the verbs in the above sentences are transitive because an object is receiving the action of the
verb.

What are intransitive verbs?
Intransitive verbs are action verbs but unlike transitive verbs, the do not have an object receiving
the action. Notice there are no words after the verb sang.
Examples of intransitive verbs: become, behave, cry, cough, go, interact, laugh, occur, run, rise,
sit, swim, take place,
More examples of intransitive verbs:
I laughed.
I cried.
The book fell.
The sun set.
In all of the above cases the subject is performing the action of the verb and nothing is receiving the
action.
What about these sentence?
I walked to the park today.
The crowd moves across the field in an attempt to see the rock star.
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Is walked transitive or intransitive? Think about the rules. Since walked has words coming after it,
the verb must be transitive, right? WRONG! The phrase to the park is a prepositional phrase and
today is an adverb. There is no object receiving the action of the verb walked so the verb is
intransitive.
References
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/coordinatingconjunction.htm
http://www.towson.edu/ows/sentencestruct.htm
http://www.towson.edu/ows/sentelmt.htm
Exercise 1 Identify subjects, main verbs, and objects (if any) in the following sentences by
writing them in the table below.
Sentences
Subject
Main verb
Object (if any)
1. Ricky and Susan both like to go out.
2. The child will nap until 2:00.
3. My aunt drank two cups of coffee in a fast food
restaurant.
4. Before the first date, I will buy a beautiful dress.
5. The earthquake happened on March 11, 2011 in
Japan.
6. Angela answered many questions in class today.
7. Ideas and expectations based on past
experiences are called schemata.
8. I have the attitude “no risk, no fun”.
9. The staff meeting will be held twice a month.
10. Expecting your friends to behave badly in a
situation can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
11. Stereotypes can influence first impressions in
many ways.
12. In some cases, the victims may be suffering
from undiagnosed psychological disorders.
13. The ballerinas dance wonderfully.
14. I went to the market yesterday.
15. The tsunami wave killed hundreds of people.
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16. We form these ideas about our new friends
very quickly.
17. A light rain fell on our heads.
18. I am meeting him at the cafeteria.
19. The moon disappears behind the clouds.
20. I use schemata to form my impressions.
Exercise 2: Construct your own sentences using the patterns given.
1.
NP + V
________________________________________________________________________________
2.
NP + Be + Adj
________________________________________________________________________________
3.
NP + V + Adv
________________________________________________________________________________
4.
NP + Be + NP
________________________________________________________________________________
5.
NP + LV + Adj
________________________________________________________________________________
6.
NP + V + NP
________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 3: Complete the sentences below to make them logical and grammatical. You should
not write beyond the space provided.
1. According to the instructions, we __________________________________________________.
2. When my friend comes across her parent, ___________________________________________.
3. When you use stereotypes to form first impression, ___________________________________.
4. Because of your stereotype, you ___________________________________________________.
5. At the welcome party, ___________________________________________________________.
6. Even though it rarely rains here, I __________________________________________________.
7. After dinner, we ________________________________________________________________.
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